Loving One Another: Blessed Ride

BLESSED RIDE

SICHAN SIV

Deacon at First Presbyterian Church San Antonio, served as deputy assistant to President George HW Bush and ambassador to the UN under President George W Bush.

A nation that forgets its past has no future. - Winston Churchill

One cannot & must not try to erase the past merely because it does not fit the present. - Golda Meir

Not until I’ve examined the things of the past & of the present, will I be able to plan for those to come. - Martha Pattillo Siv (Pampa High School’s

Valedictory Address)

First Presbyterian Church San Antonio near The Alamo

On March 6, 1836 the Alamo fell to Santa Anna after a 13-day battle where 189 Texian men, including Bowie, Crockett and Travis were killed. 185 years later, two dozen modern day Rough Riders under the joint command of Jeff Clay and Michael Hutton celebrated the first Texas Independence Day Ride with their iron horses.

We assembled in the parking lot of my First Presbyterian Church San Antonio (FPCSA, founded in 1846 hence turning 175 this year), which has important connections to our State history. My former Senior Pastor Ron Scates’ ancestor William Bennett Scates fought with Sam Houston in San Jacinto and our church parking lot was in the vicinity of where Santa Anna’s artillery blasted the north wall, and where the major siege was staged that finally breached the Texian defense. Our original plan to also meet at The Alamo was scrapped due to the Plaza being used for a masonic ceremony as many Texas Independence fighters were Freemasons: Austin, Bonham, Bowie, Crockett, Dickinson, Houston, Travis. After a prayer, we left FPCSA at 9:00 AM. Jeff was the Trail Boss recognized with his 3 by 5 feet Texas flag mounted on his Honda. Michael was The Drag, the last cowboy in a cattle drive, easily seen with his Captain America shield on his Triumph. Masita (my Yamaha Roadliner) and I were in the middle, a good position to see both the

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. - James 1:25

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. - Romans 12:2

We make plans but the Lord has the final word. - John 16:1

flag and the shield. We went through Seguin to Gonzales where the Texas War for Independence began on October 2, 1835. At Heroes Square, Jeff unfurled a COME AND TAKE IT flag and regaled us with the history of the Texas Revolution. We then had my Masita blessed by Ralph Robson, Texas Coordinator for the Christian Motorcyclists Association. We stopped for lunch in Rosenberg; a few more bikers joined our ride.

Onward to San Jacinto where Sam Houston defeated Santa Anna in an 18-minute battle on April 21, 1836. We set our feet down a

San Jacinto

few times on Loop 610 in Space City. After surviving the Houston Saturday traffic, we rejoiced at the sight of the 567 foot tall battlefield monument. I prayed for my former boss George HW Bush who took off from the 11,000-ton USS San Jacinto (CVL30) in his Grumman TBF Avenger on September 2, 1944 (his 58th mission). He was shot down over the Pacific by Japanese forces after having completed the bombing. Following one hour of gratitude reflections and prayers, we rode on through the sunset to spend the night in Galveston which filled our lungs with fresh air.

On Sunday, March 7, 2021 the remaining magnificent seven of us returned via Bay City. We stopped at the Court House where Michael led a prayer for my beloved Martha (indirectly related to Robert McKinney,

Goliad

killed in The Alamo, and Collin McKinney, a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence) and Aunt Jean. For a number of years, Martha and I traveled to Bay City (neither a bay, nor a city) more than any other places in Texas, except for Pampa. While Martha and Aunt Jean visited, I would see all the movies for $1.25 each and have a haircut at a small fraction of what I paid in New York and Washington. A lot of fun memories. In Goliad, we prayed for the nearly 400 fighters, including Fannin, who were massacred by Santa Anna on Palm Sunday, March 27, 1836. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. 2 Corinthians 5:1

By the Grace of God, our final contingent of Texas Independence Day Riders got home safely. We praised the Lord for keeping us safe and for blessing our Lone Star State. Masita was happy to rest her feet after 650 miles (1050 kilometers) of walking and running.

Job & Volunteer Opportunities

Sunday Audio/Visual Tech Volunteers Needed

Do you enjoy audio/video production or tech gadgets? Are you good with computers? We could use your help on Sunday mornings to support those worshiping the Lord, both in-person and online. Volunteers are welcome for all services. Please contact Ross Brown at rossb@fpcsat.org if you are interested and able to help.

Welcome Team Needs You!

The Welcome Team is in need of Greeters for in-person and online worship services. We also need Ushers to serve in our on-campus Worship Services. Help us extend FPC's greatest hospitality to those God sends through our doors. Please contact Wendy Garcia at wendyg@fpcsat.org to sign up.

Hiring Assistant Director to Youth & their Families

First Presbyterian Church of San Antonio is accepting applications for an Assistant Director to Youth and their Families. Potential candidates should have a heart for family ministry and a desire to work with a team to see students grow in their walk with Christ. Resumes can be sent to Alex Clary, alexc@fpcsat.org, and visit the church website at fpcsanantonio.org/ jobs for more information.

FPC Children's Center Hiring Teachers & Subs

The FPC Children's Center is currently hiring one full-time lead teacher, two afternoon teachers, and subsititutes. Contact Midea Marez Leija at 210-2712788.